702 Naval Air Squadron

Based
at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, the squadron feeds 815 Naval Air
Squadron with more than a dozen aircrew and in excess of 100
maintainers, courtesy of our 160 experienced personnel.

The training unit also provides refresher instruction annually for up to 50 fliers who’ve spent some time away from the Lynx community. For Lynx newcomers fresh from basic helicopter training at RAF Shawbury, or from the observer training squadron 750 NAS, there are 12 months of hard graft ahead as they learn how to fly – and fight – the world’s fastest helicopter.

All manner of instruction is required: rapid roping boarding teams, search and rescue, load lifting, ferrying passengers around, providing the eyes for naval gunfire as well as the traditional roles of maritime interdiction and submarine hunting. That instruction reaches its climax with an intensive training period at sea. At the same time, the Lynx ground crew are undergoing thorough operational training – which includes going to sea so they can learn how to maintain the helicopter in the confines of a warship at sea. The squadron is also the home of the award-winning Black Cats – the Royal Navy’s official helicopter display team. The display features close flying, fast passes, and dramatic manoeuvres. The team perform at air shows throughout the country over the summer display season.